Development of amino acid-modified biodegradable lipid nanoparticles for siRNA delivery.

Acta Biomater

Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. Electronic address:

Published: December 2022

The use of siRNA therapeutics to treat cancer is a very promising approach. However, specific delivery of siRNAs to tumors remains a major challenge. The recent success of siRNA delivery to the liver has incentivized the development of biomaterials for siRNA delivery into tumors. Here, we report a new class of amino acid-modified lipids for siRNA delivery to cancer cells. Eight lipids were developed by headgroup modification with histidine and lysine. The lipids were screened in PC3-luciferase stable cells for gene silencing and cellular cytotoxicity study. The best lipid LHHK shows a pKa of 6.08, which is within the optimal pKa range of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for siRNA delivery. The LHHK LNP protects siRNA from serum degradation for up to 24 h and shows higher endosomal release and better cellular uptake compared to other lysine-modified lipids in PC3 cells. The LHHK LNP exhibits significant silencing activity of IKKα and IKBKE in prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer, respectively. Moreover, the LHHK LNP encapsulating IKBKE siRNA inhibits cell proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells and suppresses the tumor progression in a pancreatic cancer mouse model. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) is a promising platform for siRNA delivery. However, LNP is generally associated with high systemic toxicity. As a result, efficient and biodegradable lipids are highly needed for siRNA-based cancer therapy. Herein, we develop amino acid-modified biodegradable lipids. These lipids show very low cellular toxicity and high transfection efficiency. The best lipid LHHK shows a pKa of 6.08, which is within the optimal pKa range of LNPs for siRNA delivery. The LHHK LNP efficiently silences IKKα and IKBKE in prostate and pancreatic cancer, respectively. Moreover, the LHHK LNP encapsulating IKBKE siRNA inhibits cell proliferation and suppresses tumor growth of pancreatic cancer in vivo. These results suggest that amino acid-modified lipids possess a great potential for siRNA delivery in cancer therapy.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10695009PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.065DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

sirna delivery
32
lhhk lnp
20
pancreatic cancer
20
amino acid-modified
16
sirna
12
cancer
10
delivery
9
acid-modified biodegradable
8
lipid nanoparticles
8
lipids
8

Similar Publications

A β-cyclodextrin-based supramolecular modular system creating micellar carriers for codelivery of doxorubicin and siRNA for potential combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Carbohydr Polym

March 2025

Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 15 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119276, Singapore; National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; National University of Singapore (Chongqing) Research Institute, Yubei, Chongqing 401120, China; NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore. Electronic address:

The combination of chemotherapy and gene therapy holds promise in treating cancer. A key strategy is to use small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to silence programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in cancer cells, disrupting tumor immune evasion and enhancing anticancer treatments, particularly when used in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin (Dox). However, effective codelivery of drugs and genes requires carefully designed carriers and complex synthesis procedures.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Advances in RNA therapy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmun Rev

January 2025

The Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address:

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are a group of complex, chronic conditions characterized by disturbance of immune tolerance, with examples including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. These diseases have unclear pathogenesis, and traditional therapeutic approaches remain limited. However, advances in high-throughput histology technology and scientific discoveries have led to the identification of various pathogenic factors contributing to ADs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

siRNA Knocking Down in HepG2 Cells Identifies PFKFB4 and HNF4α as Key Genes Important for Cancer Cell Survival.

Curr Gene Ther

January 2025

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah Street, Amman 11942, Jordan.

Introduction: Liposomes are versatile delivery systems for encapsulating small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) because they enhance cellular uptake and gene silencing. This study compares the new liposome formula to commercial lipofectamine in delivering siRNAs targeting hepatic carcinoma genes, focusing on HNF4-α and PFKFB4.

Methods: Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy revealed efficient internalization of PE-Rhod- B labeled lipoplexes in HepG2 cells, while cytotoxicity assays demonstrated significant reductions in cell viability, particularly with siHNF4-α and siPFKFB4.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Using the knowledge from decades of research into RNA-based therapies, the COVID-19 pandemic response saw the rapid design, testing and production of the first ever mRNA vaccines approved for human use in the clinic. This breakthrough has been a significant milestone for RNA therapeutics and vaccines, driving an exponential growth of research into the field. The development of novel RNA therapeutics targeting high-threat pathogens, that pose a substantial risk to global health, could transform the future of health delivery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Efficient and safe carriers of genetic material are crucial for advancing gene therapy. Three new series of cationic dendritic nanocarriers based on a carbosilane scaffold, differentiated by peripheral modifications: saccharide (CS-glyco), amine (CS-N), and phosphonium dendrimers (CS-P) were designed for binding, protecting, and releasing polyanionic compounds like therapeutic siRNA. Besides introducing synthetic methodology, this study brings a unique direct interstructural comparison of 16 dendritic nanovector's characteristics, addressing a gap in typical research that focuses on uniform structural types.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!